Adjustable door



Jan. 29, 1952 I.1. B. BAMBERG ADJUSTABLE DOOR Filed oct. io, 194e 2 SHEETS--SHEET l IN VEN TOR. .JA/155 BAMBERG J. B. BAMBERG ADJUSTABLE DOOR Jan. 29, 1952 2 SHEETS-Sl-{EET 2 Filed Oct. lO, 1946 INVENToR. JAME B. 15A/115526 Y M M04 Patented Jan. 29, 41952 i UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE ADJUSTABLE DOOR James B. Bamberg, Cleveland, Ohio Application October 10, 1946, Serial No. 702,489

3 Claims.

the like so that the usual slight irregularities in I dimensions of the framing of the wall opening can be compensated for directly on the job during installation by adjustment of the door.

Another object is to provide a door of the character described which can be fitted on the job with the usual hinges and latches either as a left hand or right hand door.`

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description wherein reference is made to the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a iront elevation of a door embodying the principles of the present invention, portions thereof being cut away to show the interior construction;

Figs. 2 through 6 are sectional views taken on the lines 2-2, 3 3, Il-A, 5-5 and G-E respectively of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the upper left hand corner of the door illustrated in Fig. l, portions thereof being cut away for clearness and illustration;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9--9 of Fig. l showing the hinge mounting.

Referring to the drawings:

The door comprises essentially a pair of main upright members I and a pair of main horizontal members 2, the members I and 2 being arranged with relation to each other to form a rectangular frame. The main members I are preferably of channel shaped cross section and are arranged in parallel spaced relation and open toward each other so that the bases ofthe channels form the lateral edges of the door. The horizontal main members 2 also are of channel shaped cross section and open toward each other so that arranged the bases of the channels form the top and bottom edges of the door.

Adjacent ends of the members I and 2 are telescopically intertted with each other so as to afford adjustment of the door both as to `length and width. In the form illustrated, the top channel member 2 has it ends telescopically received in the end portions of the upright members I so that when its ends are in fully telescoped posi tion' relative to theupright membersi, the base ofithechannel of the members 2 vand the `base of the channel of the members I abut at their ends and form closed corners of the door. The top member 2 is arranged for connection with the upright members I for adjustment laterally of the door only. For this purpose the side walls of the member 2 are provided with elongated holes 3 which extend longitudinally of the top member 2 and are positioned to receive bolts or screws 4 which extend through suitable holes in the side walls of the associated corner portions of the upright members I. As best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4, the end portions of the top member 2 have depressed areas 5 therein so that limited portions of the side walls of the top member 2 which are juxtaposed with the side walls of the members I are offset inwardly from the side walls of the upright members I. Interposed between the inset portions of the walls of the members 2 and the side walls of the members I are reinforcing plates, or stiffeners, 6 which are provided with suitable holes 'I adapted for registry with the elongated holes 3 in different laterally adjusted positions of the top member 2. Within the corners formed by the ends of the top member 2 which are telescoped within the upper ends of the members I, there are provided suitable corner blocks 8 which are substantially the same shape as the stifeners B. Two such blocks are provided and have suitable threaded holes, as indicated at 9, which register with the holes 'I of the stiffeners 6. Due to the elongation of the holes 3 in the top member 2 it is apparent that the top member can be adjusted endwise so as to space the upright members a greater or lesser distance apart within the limits of the length of the holes 3 without disturbing the registry of the holes 3, l and 9. In order to clamp the upright members and the top members together in the adjusted position so as to provide a door of the desired width, the screws 4 extend through suitable holes in the upright members I, the registering holes 'I of the stiifeners, and the elongated holes 3 of the top member 2,l and are in threaded engagement at their inner ends with the holes 9 in the corner blocks 8. Thus upon tightening the screws 4, the side walls of the top member 2 underlying the side walls of the ends of the upright members I are clamped tightly between the stiieners and the corner blocks and the side walls of the upright members are drawn tightly against the stifeners thus forming a rigid corner structure.

The door may be made of sheet steel or softer metal such as aluminum. In the case of aluminum, the outer surfaces of the corner blocks 8 Since the movement of the 'upright members i Y apart longitudinally of the horizontal members 2 leaves open corners at the top of the door, suitable corner llers I are provided. Each of the corner llers is preferably in the form of a piece of sheet metal bent at right angles between the ends to form two portions, one of which ts` snugly between the side walls of an upright member I and lies in face-to-face relation to the base thereof.- The other portion extendsgparallel to the channel base of the top member ,2 which is slotted, as indicated at II, to receive thema-r- 4 weather-sealing members being secured in fixed position, after adjustment, by suitable screws IS which may engage nuts, such as speed-nuts, disposed within the bottom member 2.

Each of the weather-sealing members is identical with the other and comprises a sheet of metal and a sheet of rubber I1, the rubber being clamped between the sheet of metal and the side wall of the bottom member 2 and extending a short distance beneath the lower edge of the door.

In order to secure the hinges in position, suitable holes I8 are provided in the upright members I at approximately the required position of the hinges. The holes I8 are preferably slightly larger than the screws I9 used for holding the hinges ori-the door so that a limited adjustment is provided.

ginal edges of the latter portion of the ller and permit limited adjustment of the ller lengthwise ...of the, top member 2.

The ller preferably xedly secured to the base of the channel which comprises the upright member I. The otherpor-A ltion of the ller, which at its margins fits into theslot II, is provided with an elongated slot or hole which extends lengthwise of the member 2 so that the ller can register with a preformed hole in the base of the channel forming the top member 2 and be secured thereto by a bolt which extends inwardly and is fastened by a nut IIa. Each of the top corners is identical and one only is therefore described.

. It is desirable that the door be adjustable both laterally and lengthwise. In the form illustrated,

all of the lengthwise adjustment is obtained by movement of the bottom member 2 lengthwise of the upright members I. Since the bottom member 2 must be adjustable vertically as well as horizontally, vit is desirable that it be univer'- s'ally adjustable in the plane of the door. The

structure and assembly of the top member 2 and of the bottom member 2 with the uprights I is the same in general, the side walls of the end portions of the bottom member 2 being telescopically received between the side walls of the r ing of the wall opening for such a door.

upright vmembers I. However, instead of the be usedtherewith. .Thus when screws are inserted through the holes in the side walls ofthe upright member I, the holes 'I in the stiifener', the holes I2 in the side walls of the bottom mem-` ber 2,.and the threaded holes 9 of the corner block 8, the bottom member 2 may be adjusted universally in the plane of the door relative to the upright members after which the screws may be tightened to clamp the members xedly in the relation desired. Fillers I0 are provided to close the bottom corners, the fillers It used in the bottom of the door having an elongated hole extending longitudinally of each portion respec tively, so as to permit adjustment both for length and width of the door. In addition, the'botto'm member 2 is provided with-a plurality lof openings I3 which are elongated vertically.V VWeathersealing members I4 are placed in face-to-face overlying'relation to the outside of the bottom member 2 and lower end portions of the Vupright members I, as best'illustrated in Fig. 1. The

weather-.sealing members I .4 are provided with a plurality of holes I5 which register with the holes I 3 but which are substantially the same sire As illustratedin Fig. 9, the hinges 2U are secured against the outer face side walls of the upright members I and suitable hinge plates 2i are disposed within the upright members I, the

hinge plates having suitable threaded openings for cooperation With the screws I9 and being practically co-extensive with the faces of theV hinges engaging the members I so as to clamp the side Walls of the members I therebetween.

Since the openings are provided in both the members Ijso that the door can be used for a right or left-hand door, suitable closure plugs 22 are provided for snapping into those of the holes I8 which are not used for fastening the hinges. Other extra holes in the members may be closed by such plugs if the holes are not used.

` Correspondingly, the usual latch 23 is mounted by suitable bolts 24 which extend through holes in the upright members I.

Thus the door can be adjusted a. limited amount both as to length and width and the hinges and' lockadjusted accordingly. For example, for a normal size door opening of 3 x 6'8", the door made for such an openingr may beadjusted so as to be from 35%" to 361/2" in width and from 79%" to 81" in length, this amount of adjustment being adequate to provide for the usual variations which occur in the fram- The main channel members thus described may be made of aluminum, stainless steel or cadmium plated steel'or other weather-proofed metal. An adequately rigid door can be provided by Yusing from 18 to 20 gauge sheet stock for the upright members I and horizontal members 2.

.To complete the door, an adjustable filler, indi- `cated generally at.25, is provided and comprises upright auxiliary members 26 andV horizontal auxiliary members 21. The auxiliary members 26'and 21 are of Vchannel shape cross section and open outwardly with their side walls telescopica'llytting between theside walls of the upright main members I and the top and bottom main members 2 ofthe door frame. The top auxiliary member 21 is provided with a plurality of elongated holes'28 which extend transversely of the member so as to permit adjustment thereof vertically when the holes 28'are in registry in different vertically adjusted positions with suit' able holesin the top member 2. The bottom auxiliary member 21 is provided with similar elongated holes 28 which extend transversely ofthe member 21. The upright auxiliary Vmembers 26 are provided with holes 29 which are of larger size in both dimensions than the screwsrto "be tted therethrough so as to permit adjustment both .vertically and horizontally.` In order to aggregare mme dem@ ,adjusted permit Varsseles'o suitable bolts or screws 30 extend through holes in the side Walls of the main members I and 2, which holes are in registry with the holes 28 and 29 of the auxiliary members in various adjusted positions of the latter relative to the main members l and 2. The holes for the screws 3G, in the frame members I and v2, are preferably of the same size as the screws 30.

Suitable nuts are engaged with the inner ends of the screws for clamping the auxiliary members in adjusted position. For ease in assembly, however, it has been found that a type of speednut is desirable. As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the margins of the members 26 and 21 adjacent the location of the holes '28 and 2B are bent in-` wardly from the normal plane of the side walls to form depressions. Speed-nuts 3l of generally J-shaped cross section are used, the short legs thereof being slid over the outer surface of the depressed wall portion of the members 26 and 21 and the other legs lying along the inner Wall surface of the members 26 and 21 at the `same location. Thus the speed-nuts engage the free margins of the members 2B and 21 with slightly yielding pressure suiiicient to hold them in position overlying the holes, with the threaded portions 32 of the nuts disposed in approximate alignment with the holes in the members I and 2, respectively. With the auxiliary members adjusted, the screws 30 can be manipulated to eiect engagement with the speed-nuts 3 I, shifting them slightly as required, so that the threaded openings 32 are aligned with the screw holes in the door members I and 2. Upon tightening the nuts, the clamping engagement of the hooked ends of the nuts is increased and rrnly anchored to the side walls of the members 23 and 21 respectively. At the same time, a wide bearing surface is provided overlying and extending beyond the openings 28 and 29 so as to draw the side walls of the members I and 2 into firm engagement with the auxiliary members 26 and 21.

Window panes or panels may be fitted into the opening deiined by the auxiliary members and secured therein in the usual manner. Suitable projecting portions 33 are provided in the members 26 and 21 for this purpose. In the form illustrated, the panel is made in two sections comprising an upper section 34 and lower section 35 which interfit with a lapped joint as indicated at 36. However, the panel may be made in a single piece, if desired. The window panel illustrated is also made of metal but any suitable type may be used. For example, the window panel may be of the usual detachable type which is replaceable by a detachable screen panel when desired.

It should be noted that the holes 3 and 28 are slightly oversize so that some adjustment is permitted to make the door out-of-square to t outof-square framing in walls.

While I have described my invention as applied to a door, it is apparent that it is equally applicable to a window or other closure for a wall opening in which limited adjustment for compensating for irregularities in the frame of the opening is desirable.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims or the equivalent of such be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and dis tinctly claim as my invention:

1. `A door for a Wall opening comprising a pair 6 of main parallel sheet metal rigid channels spaced apart from each other edgewise and opening toward each other, a second pair of main parallel sheet metalrigid channels spaced apart from each other edgewise and Aopening toward each other, said second pair of main channels extending generally at right angles to the iirst pair in the plane of the door and having their end portions telescopically and slidably interiitting with end portions of the iirst pair, at

"least one main channel oi one of said pairs being slidable edgewise of the main channels of the other oi said pairs to different adjusted posilin telesooped relation to the rst mentioned portion for securing the main channels together in an adjusted position, auxiliary channels respective to and supported by said main channels, each auxiliary channel being generally parallel to, and telescopically received in, and slidalole relative to its associated main channel and each being open toward the base of its associated main channel w ereby the auxiliary channels may be slid to diiierent adjusted positions in the plane of the main channels independently of the other auxiliary channels, means respective to the auxiliary channels for securing the auxiliary channels to their associated main channels in adjusted position, said auxiliary channels having inner margins defining an opening for a panel when the auxiliary channels are mounted in the main channels, and a panel secured to and supported by said auxiliary channels and closing said opening.

2. A door comprising a pair of main upright rigid channels opening toward each other, a pair of main horizontal rigid channels opening toward each other and arranged at opposite ends of the pair of upright channels, the end portions of the horizontal channels being telescopically received in, and slidable relative to, the upright channels, said upright channels having holes in their wall portions which overlie the end portions of the horizontal channels, bolts fitting said holes, the Walls of the end portions of the horizontal channels having holes registering with the holes of the upright channels and of greater size than the bolts and affording passage of the bolts, whereby the horizontal and vertical channels are relatively adjustable in the plane of the frame when tlfe bolts extend through registering openings of the channels, means within the horizontal channels overlying the openings and having bearing surfaces in contact with the inner surfaces of the horizontal channels, said means being cooperable with the bolts to clamp the channels in adjusted position, auxiliary channels respective to said main channels, each auxiliary channel being generally parallel to, and telescopically received in, supported by, and slidable relative to, its associated main channel and each being open toward the base of its associated main channel whereby the auxiliary channels may be slid to different adjusted positions in the plane of the main channels independently of the other auxiliary channels, means respective to the auxiliary channels for securing the auxiliary channels to their associated main channels in adjusted position, said auxiliary channels having inner margins defining an opening for a panel said opening.

. when the auxiliary. channels are mounted in the main channels, and a panel secured to and supported by said auxiliary channels and closing 3. A door for a wall opening comprising a pair of main parallel sheet metal rigid channels slidable edgewise of the main channels of theV otherof said pairs t different adjusted positions andthe other main channel of said one pair being slidable universally in the plane of the main channels, relative to the main channels of said other pair, means respective to and connecting the portion of each main channel to .that portion of another one of the main channels which is in telescoped relation to the iirst mentioned portion for securing the main channels together in adjusted position, auxiliary members respective to, and supported by, said main channels, each auxiliary member being generally parallel to and telescopically slidably received -in Aits-associated main channel and each being 1sildable to different adjusted positions in the plane of the main channel relative to its associated main channel independently of the other auxiliary members, means for securing the auxiliary members to their associated main chanjnelsinadjusted position, said auxiliary members having inner margins defining an opening for a panel when the members are mounted in the Vmain channels, and a panel secured toand supported by, the auxiliary members and closing rsaid opening. Y

. VJAMES B. BAMBERG.

Y (REFERENCES. CITED The following references are of rcord in the le of this patent:V

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 66,727 'Miller July 16, 186'? 338,433 Nelson Mar. 23, 1886 686,051 Golden Nov. 5, 1901 693,993 Benson Feb. 25, 1902 871,679 Feighery Nov. 19, 1907 v1,073,160 Newpher Sept. 16, 1913 1,148,304V Fitzpatrick ---1-, July 27, 1915 1,562,055 Richards Nov. 17, 1925 1,583,972 Holaclay et al May 11, 1926 1,876,486 Britten Sept. 6, 1932 

